Nature Walk in Ugandan Forests

Do you like Nature walks in bushes? Touch slimy slugs?, smell tree bark?, look under rocks?, feel crinkly and soft leaves?, hear musical bird songs?, creep up on furry bunnies or even climb a tree?. Do you like walking? Do you know the places to enjoy hiking while on your vacation in Uganda?
Uganda is endowed with beautiful forests where activities such as hiking in Ugandan tropical forests can take place.

Visitors and travelers to Uganda are exposed a variety of environmental activities and curiosities in and around Uganda.
Uganda is endowed with beautiful forests where activities such as forest/nature walks can take place.

There are many Uganda travel guides with clear information about forests in the country but below are some of the best forest to do a nature walk and they include; Mabira Forest, Budongo Forest, Kibale Forest, Bwindi impenetrable Forest, Mpanga Forest Reserves.
And for any visitor/traveler, it will be a biggest mistake to go back without taking a nature walk in Uganda.

What you should not forget
Wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat. Hiking boots are recommended for hikes. Bring adequate water and food; even the short or easy hikes can demand liquid and energy resources. You may also wish to bring a jacket, binoculars, and field guides. Bring rain gear if rain is a possibility.

Please follow common rules of courtesy and safety. Do not litter the trail or smoke. Dogs or other pets are not permitted on the walks, as they interfere with observing wildlife.

A walk in the woods
Whether connecting with your children, a friend or just distressing from a long day of work my favorite pastime is a country walk in the woods of Uganda especially when am upcountry.

The woods are quiet, peaceful and still but at the same time there is always something going on if you open your eyes and look around.

The Walk in the Woods theme can encompass many different types of lenses. From teaching about animals, to saving endangered species, to walking for exercise to hiking and travel.

What do you need to take on a hike?
General Items we take On a Nature Hike (any time of the year) For your nature walk to be complete. Here are a few tips that I can give to help you get started.

Must Haves for your nature journal:
1. Journal: I prefer smaller spiral-bound with heavy drawing paper, no lines
2. Small pencil box with assorted colored pencils. Watercolor colored pencils are a great choice
3. One or two sizes of paintbrushes and a small cup for water
4. Pencil sharpener
5. Ziplock bags for items you collect
6. Magnifying lens
7. Field guides if you are going to do your identifying on the trail otherwise leave them in the car for when you return
8. Snack if you are going to be gone for any length of time
9. Wet wipes in a small baggie for easy clean-ups
10. Small First aid kit
11. Map of area

Fun to have but not necessary:
1. Binoculars
2. Plant press
3. Net for insects
4. Digital camera
5. Small containers for catching critters
Necessary items to have at least in the car:
1. Bottles of water
2. Change of clothes, just in case (including shoes and socks)
3. Sunblock and/or insect repellant
4. Towels or blanket in case you need a place to sit or something to dry off with.
5. Don’t forget your anti-malaria tablets

A walk with children.
Most importantly, take along a really good attitude and leave yourself open to whatever the experience brings.
Allow your children to direct you to things they find interesting and then share in their excitement. A good nature walk is pleasurable for everyone and allows you and your children to develop a relationship with our Creator.

The best times I can remember with my children are the times we just took it slow and easy, looking for the little things that most people pass by. Turn over a rock and see what’s underneath. Look up in the branches of the trees and see if you can find any birds or other critters. Sit quietly by the edge of a pond or stream and see what comes along. Breathe the air and enjoy the day.

Where to take a nature walk while in Uganda

Nature walk in Mabira ForestMabira Forest is 54km from Kampala and 20km from Jinja and trails the main from Jinja to Kampala road. The forest center is on the boundary of Najjembe village approx 500m north of the main road. The Mabira Forest Tourism Project was set up in 1995 to facilitate sustainable revenue from the forest by creating an educational resource and recreational resource for Ugandan citizens and Non Ugandans.

Mabira Forest can be discovered via extensive trails. For the vigorous people, there is a around 25km bike trail that links the forest to the nearby sugar and tea plantations.Several activities are carried out in the forest and these include; Forest/nature walks, birding, cycle trails, mountain biking, or even relaxing and have a picnic lunch at the forest center.

Nature walk in Budongo ForestBudongo Forest is approximately 3-4 hours drive on the way to Murchison falls National Park.
It is the biggest forest reserve where you can walk below older mahogany and iron forest trees. Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro Ecotourism site are the major tourist site within Budongo Forest Reserve.

Chimpanzee tracking is the most famous activity. You can also see many forest birds including the white-thighed horn bill and puvel’s illadopsis on Masindi Paraa road. There is a campsite in the forest where a campsite and water are available. Camping is at 3000/= per day. Chimpanzee tracking is $20.

Nature Walk In Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkLocated in Southwestern Uganda, bwindi impenetrable forest is the biggest forest in Uganda. Most tourists visit Bwindi chiefly for gorilla trekking tours; a few who have engaged in a forest walk can testify how life-transforming the expertise is. A forest walk discovers all the key treasures in Bwindi, that most purchasers have oft skipped over. To retain energy, hikers are reminded to bring on enough beverage, snacks and soft foods that are energy giving moreover as golf stroke on hiking boots, gloves, huts to assist within the sun, long-sleeved shirts and trousers to manage the unpredictable forest weather.

Nature walk in Mpanga Forest Reserve
It is located 37 Kms west from Kampala along the Masaka Rd. It is a beautiful forest which has been conserved as a scientific research site since 1953.
It has trails form which visitors can view the abundant bird life, butterflies, monkeys and so many other attractions.

There is a drum making industry at Mpambire village near Mpanga forest. It is a home of the Royal drum makers. The trees for making these drums are got from Mpanga Forest reserve.

Kibale forest nature walkIt’s abundant tropical forest and interesting diversity of animals, Kibale National Park (KNP) is one of the most beautiful and stunning forest in Uganda.

What to see
It is the home to the largest number of our closet living relative, the ENDANGERED CHIMPANZEE as well as the threatened red colobus monkey and the rare L’Hoest monkey.

The forest has one of the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa totaling 13 species including the black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkey and grey-checked manangabey, red tailed monkey, bush babies and pottos.

The park also hosts over 325 species of birds including the yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinkerbird, little greenbul, breasted pitta, the African pitta and the black bee eater. There are number of impressive mammals including forest Elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, duikers and bats.

A keen observer may also see a number of reptiles and amphibians as well as colorful variety of butterflies. Furthermore, over 250tree species have been recorded.